People protest against the municipal ban forbidding the wearing of burkinis in Port-Leucate, France. Nicolas Sarkozy said he would change the country's constitution to ban the burkini if he is re-elected
| Raymond Roig/AFP via Getty Images

Nicolas Sarkozy would change French constitution to ban burkini

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday he would change the country’s constitution to ban the burkini if he is re-elected next year.

On Friday, France’s highest administrative court, the Council of State, overturned a ban on the garment imposed by the southern town of Villeneuve-Loubet, calling it a “serious infringement on fundamental freedoms.”

Sarkozy criticized the decision. “The Council of State says ‘freedom, freedom, all the freedom,'” he told radio station RTL. “What is freedom when there is a tyranny of the minorities?”

He said he would propose a law “targeting specifically women wearing a burkini on the beach or in swimming pools.”

When the presenter said such a move would be unconstitutional, the former French president said he would “change the constitution.”

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Karl Martell

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Sarkozy has a huge bark and zero bite. Remember the Kärcher? This is nothing but pre-election hype.

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Posted on 8/29/16 | 5:41 PM CET

CSK

Sarkozy: “A woman has a right to be on the beach or in a swimming pool in the outfit she chooses.” However, he added: “Here in France, we don’t lock women behind fabric.”
A woman has a right to wear what she wants until Sarkozy changes the Constitution to say that she can’t. ‘Bling-Bling’ is still shooting from the hip and hitting his feet each time. He has not matured or learned anything since his last time in power. Electioneering or not, this guy is an unmitigated disaster.
Mature thinking and behaviour, sensible and realistic policies, and a good grasp of reality are what are required of the next French president. Not much potential on the horizon, though!

Posted on 8/29/16 | 8:42 PM CET

E.Boll

Oh great Sarkozy is back. Another miniature nutjob spouting nonsense and empty promises, just what we need.